Menaggio, Lake Como

On a day trip to Menaggio, we found one playground near the centre, with the ubiquitous carousel nearby. The playground was set in a small park with space for running around, but not much shade.

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Features:

Climbing structure

Swings

See-saw

Rocking horses

Slide

Merry go round

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Cernobbio, Lake Como

Spending 5 weeks at Cernobbio on Lake Como means you spend a lot of time at playgrounds. We were very excited when we arrived to see that right opposite our rental villa was a church playground – and you can imagine what the girls thought! But sadly for most of the stay the gates were locked and we had to walk to the other two playgrounds in the village by the lake. Cernobbio is a great town for kids – the Piazza along the front has a pedestrian zone which is perfect for bikes, a carousel (6 rides for 5 euros), there are ducks to feed, ferries to catch and a public lido if the weather is good for swimming. Of the two playgrounds, the one in the public park is less busy and more shady plus very close to a fabulous cafe L’Espressino which has the best coffee in the town.

Playground at Parco Pubblico, Via Regina, 37

Features:

Swings including baby swing

Rocking horses

Climbing nets

Climbing structure and slide

Park benches and plenty of shade

Playground at Piazza Risorgimento

Features:

Large climbing structure with balance beam, nets, slide, houses

Rocking horses

Swings, including baby swing

Playground at Via Monte Grappa, 38

Features:

Slide

Climbing frame

Basketball court

Benches

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Budapest – Szabadsag ter

On a one day trip to Budapest (without children) I discovered a fantastic playground complex in Szabadsag ter, a park near the Parliament building. With a nearby cafe and lots of running space, the two playgrounds have a great variety of equipment, including climbing frames, swings and a play train! I really wished my girls could have been here to enjoy it!

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Features:

Swings (including baby swings)

Climbing structures and frames of various types

Slides

Rocking Horses

Wooden train

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Bientina

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Bientina is a lovely little village on the way from Pontedera to Lucca. The playground is under the shade of big pine trees and offers a fun respite on the drive! Features: Swings (incl baby) Climbing structure/playhouse/slide See-saw Rocking horses

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Fun in Firenze

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Unbelievably, Florence only has three playgrounds to choose from, a fact that left us somewhat surprised!  Luckily there are also some large green spaces like the Boboli Gardens, and, of course, the Carousel in Piazza della Repubblica proved a great … Continue reading

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Cycling the walls of Lucca

This gallery contains 25 photos.

The walls surrounding the old town of Lucca are amazing, a thoroughfare for cyclists, runners, walkers and, as we discovered upon hiring bikes and cycling around its 4.2km circumference, a haven for kids and their parents seeking playgrounds! Baluardo San Regolo: … Continue reading

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Play area at Buti

This gallery contains 7 photos.

Buti is a gorgeous village in the hills, with a great piazza that is an ‘area pedonale’ – prefect for the kids to kick a ball around! The local gelato shop makes its gelato by hand and is well worth … Continue reading

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Looking for fun in Lucca

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Spending a few days in the old city of Lucca is fun, but after awhile the kids just want to have a play!  We found a set of swings and lots of open space to run around in on Baluardo … Continue reading

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Climbing at Cascine La Croce

This gallery contains 6 photos.

We discovered this little playground on the road from Pontedera to Lucca and stopped for a play with our girls.  Residents from nearby often sit on chairs outside the park, chatting. Playground: Corner Via Guiseppe Mazzini and Strada Statale Sarzanese … Continue reading

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Pizza and a playground in Palaia…what could be better?

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In the hilltop village of Palaia in Tuscany, a shady playground features good equipment, plenty of space and shade. The equipment is a little worn with the common problem of graffiti and parking is a bit problematic. Next door, a … Continue reading

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